A simple chemical method for the preparation of silver nanocables from self-assembling tubular Ag+ precursors

Abstract

A simple and efficient method for the in situ fabrication at ambient temperature of nanocables consisting of a silver core and an insulating organic shell from a self-assembling silver precursor is presented. The precursor assembles into tubular aggregates several microns in length, which template the formation of silver wires, under defined reaction conditions. Proper control of the reaction conditions, such as reagent concentrations and the method of reduction, is important in order to obtain well-defined nanocables as individual dispersed entities. These consist of 30–45 nm silver cores, 60–70 nm walls, and an aspect ratio of >200. IR spectroscopy revealed the organic sheath to be cross-linked via a bridging-type coordination to the silver ions, which helps in the formation of the tubular aggregation and provides structural rigidity.